Wisdom Teeth Removal

Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?

During the procedure, most patients are sedated so they don't remember the surgery and have no pain during the process. In addition to the use of sedatives, you will have local anesthesia to keep the tooth numb. The healing process can have some discomfort but our team will prescribe the needed medications to keep your swelling and pain under control.

How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take?

Having all four wisdom teeth extracted can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the level of impaction, bone loss, and/or access to the tooth. The average wisdom tooth procedure takes around 45 minutes. We tell our patients to plan on being here for a few hours as it takes time for sedation, recovery, and post-operative instructions.

Who pulls wisdom teeth?

Any dentist who is trained in dental surgery can remove your wisdom teeth. Often, these dentists have extra surgical training and anesthesia training to keep their patients comfortable during the procedure.

What are your wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third-molars, are teeth that are all the way in the back of the mouth. They usually come into the mouth or start being seen on x-rays when patients are in their teens. 60-80% of people don't have enough room in their jaw so these teeth cause problems such as pain, bleeding, or crowding of the teeth.

Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed?

60-80% of people don't have enough room in their jaw so these teeth cause problems such as pain, bleeding, or crowding of the teeth. It is often recommended to have them removed when patients are young and healthy (age 17-25) to avoid problems in the future when complications can increase and patients don't heal as well.

How to reduce swelling after wisdom tooth removal?

The easiest ways to reduce swelling after tooth removal is with ice, rest, and NSAID medication such as Ibuprofen. The key is to start early with all of these elements. When you finish your tooth removal, our team will give you some Ibuprofen to keep your discomfort under control and also reduce your swelling. By starting icing very early and continuing for a few days, often times directly after surgery, you will stay comfortable and significantly reduce your swelling. 

How long after removing wisdom teeth can I eat?

Most patients can eat directly after their appointment but it must be something cold and soft. Soft and cold foods are recommended for a few days as your jaw muscles might be sore from being open for an extended period of time. Also, you may have stitches in your mouth so we want you to stay away from hard and crunchy foods that could get caught in any surgical sites. Most of our patients will resume normal eating within a few days.

How to stop wisdom tooth bleeding?

How to avoid dry socket?

The best ways to avoid dry socket are to avoid sucking through a straw, spitting, and smoking. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is lost and can cause significant discomfort. The first three days are very important after tooth removal and patients must avoid sucking through a straw, spitting, and smoking. If you have blood or saliva in your mouth, simply go over a sink and let it fall out and then wipe your face with a tissue.

What do I eat after wisdom teeth removal?

How long does it take for wisdom teeth to heal?

Most of our patients are feeling better after 2-5 days depending on the surgery, however, full healing of the surgical site takes a few weeks. Once your swelling and discomfort go away, patients will often feel like it is healed, however, full healing takes a few weeks for the tissue to fully mature.